Molding machine



10, 1942- A. DEMKIER EI'AL" 2,272,863

MOLDING MACHINE ,F'iled March 15, 1941 s Shee ts-She et 1 Feb. 10, 1942. A. DEMKIER ETAL MOLDING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill AIFEIX Patented Feb. 10, 1942 MOLDING MACHINE Application March 15, 1941, Serial No. 383,484

13 Claims.

This invention relates to molding machines and hasv special reference to so-called jolt-squeeze machines in which the mold is jolted to compact the molding sand and squeezes to force the sand closely around the pattern.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a jolt squeezer having improved structure for increasing the speed of operation thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of the class described having improved safety characteristics.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a jolt squeezer which has greater convenience in operation and in which the operation is lessfatiguing to the operator.

We have. also aimed to provide a machine of the character described which is capable of trouble-free operations over long periods of time, and which avoid certain defections inherent in prior art machines.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of a machine embodying my' invention showing the head in full lines in its operative position and in dotted lines in its retracted or inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a View substantially n the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 partly in section;

Fig. 4 is a view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 partly in section;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts with the head in inoperative position;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line '|'l of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are sections on the lines 8-8, 9-9 and Ill-i0, respectively, of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line HIl of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a view on the line i2-l2 of Fig. 11 showing in dotted lines the positions of the parts in the inoperative position of the head, and

Fig. 13 is a section on the line I3-l3 of Fig. 2.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the present embodiment of the invention contemplates a machine having a frame designated generally by the numeral i5 having a front apron l6 flanked on opposite sides by wheel fenders i! and i8 within which spaced wheels Iii and 2| are disposed, the back of the frame also having a fender 22 enclosing and supporting a third wheel 23. The frame also has a top face 25 and a cylindrical boss or sleeve arranged and positioned to support a tubular post 26 projecting upwardly from the frame. Rotatably positioned on the post 26 in a manner presently to be described is a head 27 having a laterally disposed arm 28, the head being of heavy and rigid metal for the support of a head plate 29 carried on a screw 3| threaded into the end of the arm 23 and secured in position by a nut 32. A table 33 is disposed on the top face 24 of the frame and is adapted to move vertically for the purpose of imparting a jolt to a mold being formed on the top of the table and for the purpose of squeezing the mold against the head plate 29.

The table 33 is supported on the top face 24 of the frame in the manner shown in Fig. 13, the table being attached to or integral with a piston 34 disposed in a cylinder 35 which in this instance is supported within the interior of a squeeze piston 36 by means of webs, as shown at 31. The piston 35 is in turn disposed in a cylinder 38 affiXed to the top surface of the frame as by means of screws 39 disposed annularly of the cylinder. The upper end of the cylinder 36 has a flange as shown at 4! adapted for abutment against the end of the cylinder 38' to limit the downward movement of the squeeze piston 36. Fluid is admitted to the squeeze piston through a connection 42 disposed in the bottom of the cylinder 38 so as to cause the squeeze piston to move upward, raising the table 33 to perform the squeeze operation. In this instance the table 33 has a flange portion 43 providing an abutment face 44 for abutment against the flange 4| to limit the downward travel of the piston 34 and table 33 and to provide an abrupt stop to the downward travel. Air or other fluid is introduced into the cylinder 35 through channels 45 and a central chamber 66 in the piston 34, and causes the piston to move upward until a hole 41 in the wall of the cylinder 35 is uncovered, permitting the escape of air from the cylinder into the central chamber 48 of the piston 36 and thence outward through a recessed portion 49 on the bottom of the table. Attached to the flange 43 and depending around the cylinder 38 is a guard 51 conveniently of sheet metal which acts to deflect the air passing through the recess 49 to a point adjacent the top surface 24, and thereby cause any sand in this area to be blown away from thesurface of the cylinder and away from the guide rods, presently to be described.

The pistons and cylinders are maintained in alignment, and their movement guided by guide rods 52 and 53 threaded into the flange 43 and depending therefrom through openings in the annular flange 45 of the cylinder 38. These rods are in the form of tubes having center openings 54 and 55 for the purpose of conducting fluid to the channels 45 for operation of the jolt piston 34 and to a channel 56 in the flange 43 communicating with a vibrator acting on the table, the vibrator being of conventional form such as well known in the art.

Control of the flow of fluid to the jolt piston 34 and vibrator 5'! is effected through a control system best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, which in this instance takes the form of vertically disposed pipes 53, 59 and El positioned in openings 62, t3 and (it in the top surfaces of the frame, the pipes being slidable in the openings. Set screws as shown at 55 and 66 (Figure 1) are seated in the frame and engage the pipes 58 and GI for fixing the same therein at a required elevation. The pipe 59 is connected by flexible means such as an air hose to a source of supply of compressed air such as a hose 6'! constituting a source of compressed air supply for the machine, the conventional accessories being interposed therein, such, for example, as an oiler 68 and pressure regulator 69. Attached to the upper end of the air supply pipe 59 and extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions are branch pipes 'II and I2 terminating in air valves I3 and I4, which in turn are attached to the vertical pipes 58 and BI. The lower ends of pipe 58 are connected by means of a flexible hose 75 to the guide rod 53 and thence to the vibrator 5'! so that the valve I3 controls the flow of air to the vibrator. The lower end of the pipe 6! is connected by means of a flexible coupling 75 such as an air hose to the guide rod 52, and consequently the valve 74 controls the flow of air to the jolt piston 34. The Valves I3 and M are in this instance of the poppet type each having a stem 11 adapted to be forced into the valve casing for the purpose of opening the valve and having spring return for closing the valve. For th purpose of actuating the same, each of the valves has a bracket 78 attached to the valve body carrying a pivot pin 19 at its upper end upon which a lever 8| is pivotally supported, the lever carrying a knee pad 82 which depends across the end of the stem Ti so that when the knee pad is forced inwardly, the stem I! is pressed in to open the valve.

Attention is directed to the fact that the valves 73' and M and the associated knee pads 82 are carried on the pipes 58 and BI and form an independent unit which is adjustable in its elevation on the frame of the machine. This construction tends to materially improve the speed of operation of the machine and relieve the operator of the fatigue heretofore incidental to the operation of such machines for the reason that the pads can be adjusted in position for each operator. In other words, in prior constructions it has been common to position the valves either at a fixed height or to position the valves so that they move with one of the pistons. Since these valves are actuated by the operator by forcing the knee against the pads, it will be seen that in the past it has been necessary for the operator to bring the knee up against the pad, in most cases lifting the foot from the floor. We have found that the ease and the speed of the work can be increased by positioning these pads at an elevation such that they can be engaged by the knee of the operator simply by bending the knee and retaining the foot firmly on the floor. In order to accomplish this result it is necessary that the location of the pads be fairly definitely determined for each operator, due to variations in the length of the lower leg of the various operators.

Control of the movement of the squeeze piston 35 and of the movement of the head 2'! between its various positions is accomplished in the manner best shown in Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive. The head 27 includes a relatively long sleeve-like member 83 which encloses the post 26 at its upper end and fits snugly thereon for rotation so that there is substantially no lost motion between these members and consequently no relative movement therebetween when the squeeze piston is raised to squeeze the mold against the head plate 29. The lower edge of the cylindrical portion 83 is notched as shown at 54 for engagement against an abutment 85 positioned on the post to limit the rotation of the head in the inoperative position, as will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 2. Rotation of the head is accomplished by a lever 85 pivotally supported on the arm 28 as shown at 81 intermediate the ends of the lever, the lever projecting forwardly to a point over the free end of the arm 28 and to a position for convenient actuation by the operator. The opposite end of the lever extends to a point above the longitudinal axis of the post 26, as will be apparent from Figs. 5 and 6.

The post 26 is in this instance formed of a rigid metal tube 88 having its lower end rigidly seated in the frame portion 25, the upper end thereof being spanned by a plate 89 secured thereto by screws 9| disposed annularly of the plate. Positioned on the upper face of the plate concentric with respect to the axis of the post is an anti-friction bearing 92 against the upper face of which is seated a cap 93 attached at its periphery to the upper end of the sleeve portion 83 by means of cap screws 94 the cap 93 serving to support the head on the post and provide for free rotation within the limits prescribed. Disposed against the lower face of the plate 89 and within the post is a spring-pressed plate 95, this plate being pressed against the lower surface of the plate 89 by means of springs 95 disposed on cap screws 97 which pass freely through openings in the plate 95 and are threaded into threaded openings 98 of the plate 89, whereby the spring-pressed plate may be urged downwardly away from the plate 89 by compression of the springs 95. The spring-pressed plate carries a plurality of pins 99 fixed therein and free to slide in openings HM in the plate 89, the pins being of such length as to project slightly beyond the upper surface of the plate 89 so as to engage and be received in holes I02 in the cap 93 when the head occupies its operative position so as to latch the head in the operative position with the head plate 29 disposed above the table 33.

Means are provided for moving the spring plate downwardly and correspondingly moving the pins 99 out of the holes I02 so as to permit of manual rotation of the head, which means includes a rod indicated generally by the numeral I53 passing through the cap 53, the plate 89 and the spring-pressed plate 95 in a central and axial position. The upper end of the rod I 03 is received within an opening IU I in the end of the lever and has an opening I55 for the reception of a pin I55 anchored in the lever and serving to move the rod longitudinally upon rotation of the lever on its horizontal pivot. The rod I03 has a portion I01 adjacent its upper end having a cross-sectional shape such as shown in Fig. 8 including fiat sides I33 and arcuate sides I39, this portion passing through an opening in the cap 95 of similar shape so that when the lever 85 is rotated about the center line of the rod I03, no rotation can occur as between the rod I33 and the cap. Immediately below the portion In! the rod has a cylindrical portion HI which passes through an opening H2 in the plate 89, which opening has substantially the same shape characteristics as the opening in the cap 93, as best shown in Fig. 9. Below the cylindrical portion I I Ithe rod has a portion N3 of substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the portion IN, the portion I I3 being located so that in the operative position of the head, the portion H3 rests in the complemental opening H2. The extreme lower end of the opening H2 is cylindrical as shown at M4, the rods thereof being substantially that of the arcuate sides of the portion H2 so that when the rod is moved downwardby rotation of the lever 33 about its horizontal axis, the portion H3 will be moved wholly within the cylindrical portion H t of the opening H2. Coincidentally with this longitudinal movement of the rod, the portion H3 forces the springpressed plate 95 downward into the position shown in Fig. 6 against the tension of'the springs 95, since the rod is provided with a cylindrical portion I I of smaller radius than the portion H3 directly below the portion H3 and passing through the plate 83. It will be seen that upon such rotation the portion I I3 passes out of complete registration with the opening H2 and the lever 86 cannot be rotated to raise the rod I33 in any angular position other than the operative position of the head, because the portion I I3 engages a shoulder H6. The portion H3 of the rod is normally maintained in contact with the upper surface of the spring plate 95 by action of a spring H'I which acts between the plate and a collar H8 secured to the rod.

It will thus be seen that the head is rotated between its operative position with the head plate 29 above the table and its inoperative position at an angle about 90 with respect to the operative position by raising the outwardly disposed end of the handle, thus forcing the rod I03 downward to force the spring-pressed plate 95 downward and withdraw the pins 95 from the holes I32 and by then imparting a rotation to the lever about the vertical axis, and that these movements are so arranged that they require but a single continuous movement of the operators hand to effect the rotation from either. position to the other.

Maximum speed in production is obtained by coordinating the action of the squeeze piston 36 with the movements of the head and by insuring that the squeeze piston cannot be operated when the head occupies its inoperative position. This is accomplished by providing a valve designated generally by the numeral H9 which, in this instance, is supported within the frame member directly below the post 26 as best shown in Figure 1. The movable portion of the valve is actuated by a pin l2! carried in the valvecasing, as will presently be described, and having an arm I22 to which a link IE3 is pivotally attached, the link having an opening I23 for the reception of an operating rod I25, the opening being slightly larger than the rod so as to permit a limited amount of relative movement, the lower end of the rod being threaded for the reception of spaced nuts I26 and I2'I. The upper end of the rod I25 is threaded as shown at I28 and received in a threaded bore in the end of the rod I03. The relationship of the parts is such that when the rod I03 and handle 86 occupy the position shown in Fig. 6, the valve occupies an exhaust position, and that when the head is rotated to the operativeposition and the outwardly disposed end of the handle 83 drawn downward, the rods I33 and I25 are drawn upward to establish communication between the source of air supply and the interior of the cylinder 33 so as to move the squeeze piston upward in an upward. stroke. It will be seen that the shoulder H3 and." the opening H2 prevent the rod I53 from being drawn upward to establish such communication at all times except when the head occupies its operative position.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 11 and 12, we have therein shown one embodiment of a suitable valve which includes a body I29, a face plate I3I, and a rotor I32, the body having a chamber I33 receiving the rotor, and the face plate being attached to the body by means of peripherally spaced screws I34. A spring I35 within the chamber I33 urges the face of the rotor into sealing engagement with the inner surface of the face plate I3I, and the periphery of the rotor seats in substantially sealed engagement with the inner surface of the chamber. A pipe I33 establishes communication from the fluid supply EC? to the interior of the chamber I33. The pin I 2! is seated for rotation in the face plate I3! and has a tongue I3! positioned and shaped for registration with a groove I38 in the face of the rotor, whereby rotation of the pin I2I acts to shift the rotor between its positions. The face plate I3I also has spaced ports I39 and MI, the port I39 having communication with the pipe 42 to the bottom of the squeeze piston, and the port I il having communication with an exhaust pipe. The rotor I32 has a port I52 extending completely through the rotor and a circumferential groove I43 which extends only a part of the distance through the rotor.

It will be seen from this description that when the rod I25 occupies the position shown inFig. 5, the port I42'is closed and communication is established by the groove I33 from the pipe 42'to the exhaust pipe as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12. On the other hand, when the head'occupies its operative position and the outwardly disposed end'of the control lever 33 is depressed, moving the rod I25 upwardly, the rotor I32 is turned, bringing the port I42 into registration with the port I39, thereby permitting the passage of air from the pipe I35 to the bottom of the squeeze piston to force this piston upwardly in a squeeze stroke. The head is then looked in this position by action of the pins 39, and in order to remove these pins, the lever 86 must be rotated about its horizontal axis and concurrently the rod I25 must be depressed so as to rotate the rotor of the valve to bring the port M2 out of registration with the port I 39 and bring the groove H13 into registration with the port I33 and thereby exhaust the air from within the cylinder '38, the weight of the piston and table causing the air to move out and the table to resume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This action must occur prior to the completion of the unlatching operation, and consequently it is impossible to actuate the squeeze piston in an operative stroke when the head occupies other than its operative position.

It is believed that the foregoing description conveys a complete disclosure of the preferred manner of practicing the invention.

We claim:

1. The combination in a post type jolt squeezer of a table movable vertically to apply a squeeze to a mold positioned thereon, a head disposed thereabove, means for supporting said head for rotation about a vertical axis between an operative position above said table for squeezing contact with the mold upon vertical movement of said table and a remote position, and unitary control means for manually rotating said head between said positions, said control means being manually movable with said head to rotate the head and separately movable with respect thereto for controlling the vertical movement of said table.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a manually operable valve for controlling the movement of said table, and means for preventing actuation of said valve when said head occupies 9, position other than said operative position.

3. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a valve movable between a pressure applying and an exhaust position, and means for preventing rotation of said head when said valve occupies a position other than said exhaust position.

4. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a lever rotatable on a vertical axis to rotate said head and on a horizontal axis to control the movement of said head.

5. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a lever rotatable with said head on said vertical axis, and rotatable with respect to said head on a horizontal axis, actuatable means for controlling the movement of said table, and a plunger rod disposed on said vertical axis for reciprocation by said lever to operate said actuatable means.

6. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a lever rotatable with said head on said vertical axis and rotatable with respect to said head on a horizontal axis, actuatable means for controlling the movement of said table, a plunger rod disposed on said vertical axis for reciprocation by said lever to operate said actuatable means, means for latching said head in said operative position, and means for preventing reciprocation of said rod to operate said actuatable means when said head occupies a position other than said operative position.

7. The combination in a post type jolt squeezer of a frame, a table thereon, means for moving said table vertically to apply and relieve squeezing pressure to a mold positioned thereon, a vertically disposed hollow post positioned adjacent said table having an end plate at the upper end thereof, a head supported for rotation on said post between an operative position above said table for squeezing contact with the mold and a remote position, said head having a sleeve surrounding said post, a cap spanning said post and a bearing disposed between said cap and said end plate, manually releasable latch means between said head and said post for securing said head against rotation from said operative position comprising a spring-pressed plate disposed within said post and pressed against the lower side of said end plate, a pin on said springpressed plate passing through said end plate and engaging said cap, a rod on the vertical axis of said post extending through said end plate, means on said rod for engaging said springpressed plate upon longitudinal movement of said rod in one direction to depress said springpressed plate and disengage said pin, and a lever disposed on said head for moving said rod in releasing movement and for rotating said head, a valve for controlling the movement of said table movable between a position to urge said table in a pressing stroke and a return position, means to actuate said valve to the first mentioned position in response to movement of said rod in the opposite direction, and means for preventing movement of said rod to said first mentioned position when said head occupies a position other than said operative position.

8. The combination in a jolt squeezer of a stationary frame, a table mounted on said frame having means for imparting a vibratory and a jolting movement thereto, and means for controlling said means comprising a unitary control structure having independent control members, knee pads for actuating said members, and means for supporting said control structure on said stationary frame in any of a plurality of positions.

9. The combination in a jolt squeezer of a stationary frame, a table mounted on said frame for supporting a mold, separate fluid operated means for imparting a vibratory and a jolting movement to said table, and means for controlling said means comprising a plurality of rigidly interconnected conduits, valves for controlling the fiow through said conduits, knee pads supported on said conduits for movement by the knees of an operator to actuate said valves, and means for supporting said conduits on said stationary frame at any of a plurality of fixed elevations dependent upon length of the operators legs.

10. The combination in a jolt squeezer of a stationary frame member, a table member above said frame, and means for supporting said table on said frame comprising a cylinder positioned on one of said members, a piston on the other of said members, said piston and cylinder being movable with respect to each other in response to the introduction of fluid to move said table, and a plurality of rods attached to one of said members and having guiding contact with the other thereof, said rods being in the form of pipe, and means for conducting fluid to and from said rods to said cylinder for actuating the same.

11. The combination in a jolt squeezer of a stationary frame, a table above said frame, a cylinder having an annular flange attached to said frame for fixedly securing the cylinder thereto, a piston on said table disposed in said cylinder, said piston and cylinder serving to move said table in a squeezing movement in response to the introduction of fluid into said cylinder, a

plurality of pipes fixedto said table and projecting through said flange to guide the movement of said table, said table having channels communicating with said pipes for transmitting fluid to said cylinder, and flexible means attached to one end of said pipes for transmitting fluid therethrough to said cylinder.

12. The combination in a post type jolt squeezer of a frame, a table thereon, means for moving said table vertically to apply and relieve squeezing pressure to a mold positioned thereon, a vertically disposed hollow post positioned adjacent said table having an end plate at the upper end thereof, a head supported for rotation on said post between an' operative position above said table for squeezing contact with the mold and a remote position, said head having a sleeve surrounding said post, a cap spanning said post and a bearing disposed between said cap and said end plate, and manually releasable latch means between said head and said post for securing said head against rotation from said operative position comprising a spring pressed plate disposed within said post and pressed against the lower side of said end plate having pins passing through said end plate and engaging said cap, and means for depressing said plate against the spring pressure to disengage said pins from said cap.

13. The combination in a post type jolt squeezer of a frame, a table thereon, means for moving said table vertically to apply and relieve squeezing pressure to a mold positioned thereon, a vertically disposed hollow post positioned adjacent said table having an end plate at the upper end thereof provided with an axial opening and spaced holes therethrough, a head supported for rotation on said post between an operative position above said table for squeezing contact with the mold and a remote position, said head having a sleeve surrounding said post, a cap spanning said post having bearing support on said end plate, and manually releasable latch means between said head and said post for securing said head against rotation from said operative position, said latch means comprising a plate spring pressed against the bottom of said end plate, pins in said plate passing through the holes in said end plate and engaging said cap, a rod on the vertical axis of said post positioned in said axial opening, means on said rod for engaging said spring pressed plate upon longitudinal movement of said rod in. one direction to depress said spring pressed plate and disengage said pins, and a lever disposed on said head for moving said rod in releasing movement and for rotating said head.

LESTER A. DEMKIER. KENNETH 0. HOSTETTER. 

